Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 39332 — Hickory, MS

ZIP code 39332 (Hickory, Newton County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost November 5.

Where ZIP 39332 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 24

First frostNov 5

2012 zone8a

Was 8a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hickory, MS…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Hickory, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMarch 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 10only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 5median — 10% chance by Oct 23

Growing season228 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 9 and returns around November 18.

From the NOAA station Newton 5 Ene, MS — 5 miles away, elevation 374 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 39332

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 10 – Sep 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 22 – Nov 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 24) and first fall frost (Nov 5) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 39332 came on Feb 11 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

average
Feb 52026
Feb 11

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 8b in Mississippi

526 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Mississippi, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Hickory, MS.

Soil in Hickory, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 39332 is Bibb — fine sandy loam, poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing seasonUSDA classification

Map unit: Mantachie soils (bibb) (0 to 2 percent slopes).

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 39332; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hickory, MS

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days60days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights56nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,469base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 16 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 02 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation58.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Newton 5 Ene, MS (5 mi away); precipitation: Newton 5 Ene, MS (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Enterprise, MS · 11 mi

393568b

Rose Hill, MS · 12 mi

Little Rock, MS · 15 mi

393478b

Pachuta, MS · 17 mi

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 39332

What planting zone is ZIP code 39332?

ZIP code 39332 (Hickory, MS) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Hickory, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 39332 is March 24; after April 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newton 5 Ene station.

When is the first frost in Hickory, MS?

The median first fall frost near 39332 is November 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 228 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 39332?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 27 – Feb 10 and set transplants outside around Mar 31 – Apr 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 39332 get?

About 58.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newton 5 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Hickory, MS?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 60 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 39332 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bibb at the center of ZIP 39332: fine sandy loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hickory, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 39332 came on Feb 11 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hickory, MS?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 39332 is 14 h 16 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 39332 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 39332 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.